Davos Panoramaweg (Davos Panorama Trail) Hiking Guide

The Davos Panoramaweg (Davos Panorama Trail) is a quintessential mountain hike in the Davos Klosters region. Along the trail, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains as well as far-sweeping views over Davos Valley.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about hiking the Davos Panoramaweg.

What Is the Davos Panoramaweg?

Davos Panoramaweg translates to ‘Davos Panorama Trail’ in English. As the name suggests, the hiking trail offers mind-blowing panoramic views of the Davos Klosters area. The high traverse lies west of the Davos Valley, offering exceptional views of the mountains towering above Davos.

Technically speaking, the trail stretches approx. 11km between Strelapass in the south and Gotschna (Gotschnagrat) in the north. Below, we’ll have a look at a map of the trail.

Davos Panoramaweg Map

This map nicely demonstrates the high traverse ‘Panoramaweg’ between Strelapass and Gotschna across the western face of the Davos Valley.

Davos Panoramaweg: Hike Options

Despite the Davos Panoramaweg having well-defined start and end points, there are still several route options involving the trail. Cable car and funicular railway access along different sections of the trail, and also near the trail, lends itself to route variations.

Essentially, there are shortened hiking options that involve doing a partial section of the trail. While there are also extended versions of the trail, which include hiking the entire trail and then additional trails in combination.

Below, we’ll have a look at the three most popular Davos Panoramaweg route options.

Bear in mind that each of the hiking options below can be completed in the reverse order.

1. Gotschna to Parsenn (Gotschnagrat to Parsennhütte)

• Type: One-way
• Distance: 7km
• Time: 2.5–3 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 275m
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead: Gotschnagrat Cable Car Station or Höhenweg Funicular Station
• Map: AllTrails

This is a shortened version of the Davos Panoramaweg. By doing this walk, you’ll walk the majority of the trail between Gotschna and Parsenn. This is a great option if you want to do a shorter walk. It’s also very convenient as there is cable car/funicular access at either end.

To do this option from Gotschna, take the Parsenn Klosters (Gotschnabahn) cable car to Gotschnagrat.

To do this option from Parsenn, take the Parsenn Davos (Parsennbahn) funicular to Höhenweg, the mid-way stop en route to Weissfluhjoch.

Check out the Davos Klosters Mountains website for rates and times for these cable car and funicular rides.

2. Gotschna to Schatzalp via Strelapass

• Type: One-way
• Distance: 14.3km
• Time: 5.5–6.5 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 425m
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trailhead: Gotschna Cable Car Station or Schatzalp Funicular Station
• Map: AllTrails

This is an extended version of the Davos Panoramaweg. By doing this walk, you’ll walk the entire trail, plus the Strelapassweg (or the other trail running parallel to it) from Strelapass to Schatzalp. This is a fantastic option for completing the entire Davos Panoramaweg and an extra trail to see even more of the area.

Bear in mind that the walk from Strelapass to Schatzalp involves significant elevation loss!

Similar to the first option discussed, to do this walk from Gotschna, take the Parsenn Klosters (Gotschnabahn) cable car to Gotschnagrat. Again, check out the Davos Klosters Mountain website for more details regarding prices and departure times.

Otherwise, take the Davos Platz (Schatzalpbahn) funicular to do this walk from Schatzalp. Check out the Schatzalp Funicular website for details regarding cost and schedule.

3. Gotschna to Davos

• Type: One-way
• Distance: 16.3km
• Time: 7–8 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 425m
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trailhead: Gotschna Cable Car Station or Davos (Platz or Dorf)
• Map: AllTrails

Essentially, this option is very similar to the second option. The only difference is not taking the funicular between Davos Platz and Schatzalp. Instead, you’ll walk it! Of course, this means even more significant elevation loss, descending from Schatzalp to Davos. Those with ‘bad knees’ may want to avoid this option!

Personally, I chose this option!

FYI – there are several trails between Schatzalp and Davos. This means you can easily get between Schatzalp and either Davos Dorf or Davos Platz.

Once again, check out the Davos Klosters Mountain website for details regarding prices and departure times for the Gotschnabahn.

Doing the Gotschna to Davos Option

Here, I’ll tell you about my experience doing the Davos Panoramaweg, which involved the Gotschna to Davos (Platz) option.

Unfortunately, Beck couldn’t join me on this adventure because she was working at an event in Davos. Also, at the time, she was pregnant, so mountain hiking (high altitude exposure) was off the cards for her.

Starting at Klosters

Beck and I were staying in Solaria (Serviced Apartments by Solaria), just outside of Davos Dorf. I decided to walk to Davos Dorf Train Station. From there, I caught the train to Klosters Platz Train Station.

FYI – I easily bought my train ticket online using the SBB Mobile app. From memory, the ticket cost around CHF10 and the journey took about half an hour.

Cable Car: Klosters Platz to Gotschnagrat

From Klosters Platz Train Station, it was a short walk to the Parsenn Klosters Cable Car Station. There, I purchased a one-way ticket to Gotschnagrat via Gotschnaboden. Again, check the Davos Klosters Mountains website for prices and departure times.

Personally, I paid CHF 13, which was a discounted price for having the ‘Premium Card’. At the time of visiting, this card was given to visitors staying in Davos, offering significant discounts on public transport. I caught the first ride of the day at 8:15am. From memory, the cable car ride took around 10–15 minutes.

After both a scenic train journey and cable car ride, I finally arrived at Gotschna ready to hike the Davos Panoramaweg.

Hiking Davos Panoramaweg From Gotschna

By the time I arrived at Gotschna, the sun had just edged above the mountains, providing a radiant warmth. I was blessed with a superb, clear sky, which made me all the more excited to crack on with the hike.

Having hiked in mid-October, the grassy hills surrounding Gotschna were still mostly snow-free.

Gotschna to Parsenn

From Gotschna, you’ll follow a winding trail heading south towards Parsenn. Along this trail, you’ll enjoy immense views of the mountains ahead that you’ll eventually skirt around. Right from the get-go, you’ll enjoy far-reaching views across Davos Valley (assuming that you also have good visibility).

Once you pass the Parsennhütte hub, you’ll then walk around the western face of Totalphorn (2,532m). This was one of my favourite parts of the walk, as you’ll feel more immersed in the mountainous terrain.

Parsenn to Strelapass

After walking amongst rocky, mountainous terrain, you’ll soon enter another expansive, grassy, hilly area. You’ll then walk by the Höhenweg middle station of the Parsennbahn funicular, en route to Strelapass.

Before reaching Strelapass, you’ll traverse another mountain face. This time, you’ll cut through the western face of Schiahorn (2,709m). If anything, this section is even more spectacular than the trail across the western side of Totalphorn.

There is a point on the trail that narrows, bordering and bending around a cliff face. This is the most adventurous and thrilling part of the Davos Panoramaweg.

The shape of the trail that bends around Schiahorn’s western side creates an almost balcony effect, providing spectacular views across Davos Valley.

After bending around the western face of Schiahorn, the trail straightens, heading up to Strelapass. At this stage of the walk, you’ll enjoy immense views of Davos Lake.

Soon enough, you’ll reach Strelapass.

Schiahorn (Optional Extra Mountain Summit)

From Strelapass, it’s possible to hike to the summit of Schiahorn. This is exactly what I did!

Read more: Schiahorn Summit Hike Blog Post

Strelapass to Schatzalp

At Strelapass, you’ll enjoy a fantastic vantage point further west. After enjoying the views and possibly hiking to the summit of Schiahorn, it’s time to descend to Schatzalp.

There are two adjacent running trails between Strelapass and Schatzalp. The more southern of the two trails is known as Strelapassweg. It would make sense to take this trail if you’re heading directly to Schatzalp or walking back to Davos Platz.

I actually used the other trail, as it seemed more convenient with my descent to Davos Dorf in mind. Instead of being led directly to Schatzalp, this other trail passes nearby and then heads north towards Davos Dorf.

Whichever trail you take, you’ll have excellent views of Davos and its valley.

Schatzalp to Davos Platz

After passing near Schatzalp, I continued my descent, heading north towards Davos Dorf. With further elevation loss, your views soon become fairly limited. The final stages of the walk are through forest terrain, mostly void of views.

Finally, I arrived back in Davos Dorf. I met up with Beck during her work break, before heading back to our accommodation for a well-earned rest (and beer).

Is It Worth Doing the Davos Panoramaweg?

Yes, I highly recommend doing the Davos Panoramaweg. There are trail options to suit all preferences, as you can utilise the cable car and funicular railway rides on offer (or not) to complete the hike that you want to do.

Whichever route option you choose to do, with decent visibility, you’ll enjoy outstanding views of Davos, its valley and the surrounding Swiss Alps.

Other Hikes in Davos Klosters

• The 10 Best Davos Hikes: Your Davos Klosters Hiking Guide
• Joriseen Hike, Davos: How to Visit the Epic Joriseen Lakes
• Madrisa Hike to Ratschenhorn (Ratschenflue): The Ultimate Guide
• Rinerhorn Summit Hike, Davos: Everything You Need to Know
• Davos Panoramaweg (Davos Panorama Trail) Hiking Guide
• Schiahorn Summit Hike, Davos: The Ultimate Hiking Guide
• Hike (Not Bike) the ‘Alps Epic Trail Davos’ From Jakobshorn to Sertig
• Sertig Waterfall (Ducan Waterfall): The Complete Visitor’s Guide
• Davosersee Rundweg (AKA Lake Davos Trail) – Visitor’s Guide

Davos Accommodation

Most people hiking in the Davos Klosters area will stay in Davos. Compared with Klosters, Davos has a lot more accommodation options.

Klosters Accommodation

Despite Klosters having fewer accommodation options, it exudes more rustic skiing village vibes. So, if you’re after that traditional Swiss mountain village charm, you may opt to stay in Klosters.

Where We Stayed: Solaria

Given that Beck was working in Davos, we decided against staying in Klosters. Also, compared with Klosters, Davos serves as a more convenient base for hiking in the area.

Admittedly, the high street of Davos, which is home to many of its accommodation options, is quite built-up and fairly busy. Beck and I preferred to stay in Solaria, which is a quiet neighbouring town of Davos Dorf. Because we hired a car, we had the luxury of choosing an area to stay away from the town’s main hustle and bustle.

We chose to stay at Serviced Apartments by Solaria. Given how expensive Switzerland is, we wanted to stay in an apartment where we could cook for ourselves. This self-catering apartment featured a spacious kitchen and dining area. It really was a perfect base for our time hiking in Davos.